Written by Adriana Pacilo
Simile:
“‘It is very cold on the floor, and [the little cave] is warm like the badger hole’” (Cather 50).
When Jim, his grandmother, and Jake visit the Shimerdas during the winter times, Antonia explains the Shimerdas’ grievances to the Burdens. At one point, Ántonia points to a small cave in the wall and tells the Burdens that she and her sister sleep there, insisting that it is warm “‘... like the badger hole’” compared to the cold floor (Cather 50). Through this simile, Antonia’s sleeping space and a badger hole are being compared. Antonia’s ‘bed’ and a badger hole are both warm, small, and humble, lacking a luxury that is readily available to the Burdens. The comparison shows how Antonia’s sleeping space is small but comfortable, just like that of a badger’s. Though it is not ideal, Antonia’s sleeping space suffices. Cather’s comparison of Antonia’s bed with that of an animal’s shows the desperation of the Shimerdas’ situation, as certain luxuries are stripped from them by misfotunes, such as the raging winter. Antonia is forced to find warmth in a hole in the wall, showing how the Shimerdas’ basic needs are barely being satisfied.
“That hour always had the exultation of victory, of triumphant ending, like a hero’s death…” (Cather 28).
Jim and Antonia are playing in the fields as usual when Jim reflects on his surroundings in his own creative way. The time of day is compared to a hero’s death. The hour before sundown resembles a hero’s death because they both represent a grand ending to something beautiful and temporary.The comparison contributes to a detailed image of a landscape. The author inserts this simile to demonstrate Jim’s imaginativeness in order to give further insight into his character. His dramatic perception of dawn hitting the fields equates wars fought and heroes dead. Due to his view, he is never bored; and each day seems like an adventure. This quotation also shows his naivety and youthfulness by turning something ordinarily evil- war- into a harmless point of admiration.
“His face was ruggedly formed, but it looked like ashes-like something from which all the warmth and light had died out” (Cather 21).
When Jim first meets the Shimerda’s he starts to evaluate the family and notices details that are crucial to their characters. Jim describes Mr. Shimerda as dignified since Mr. Shimerda was dressed well and stood tall. However, Jim notices that Mr. Shimerda’s face looks like something that has the warmth and light died out of it. Mr. Shimerda “ruggedly formed” face is compared to something that has all the warmth and light died out of it. Mr. Shimerda face reveals how he has been depressed and unhappy ever since leaving his old country which is similar to something that has lost the warmth and light out of it. This comparison shows how Mr. Shimerda is miserable in Nebraska and how the liveliness has escaped from him since moving from his old home. The author’s intent of this simile is to show the struggles of immigrants to new land as they have trouble adjusting. Mr. Shimerda has struggles to accommodate in the new country as he has been brought up in another country.
Metaphor:
“We drove up to this skeleton [the Shimerdas’ house] to tie our horses, and then saw a door and window sunk deep in the drawbank” (Cather 17).
This quotation is a metaphor. The Shimerdas’ house and a skeleton are being compared with a metaphor. A skeleton cannot stand on its own, as it is incomplete without support. Similarly, the Shimerdas’ house appears to be flimsy and unfinished. Just like a skeleton, the house seems to be the mere structure or outline of what a house should be, basically leaving the Shimerdas exposed to the elements.
The comparison shows how the Shimerdas have the bare minimum to work with. The fatigued nature of a skeleton reflects the fact that the Shimerdas have a poor excuse for a house that will make their lives difficult. Through this metaphor, Cather shows what little luxuries the Shimerdas have. With a small shack of a house, the Shimerdas already will have a hard time living their day to day lives. Cather intentionally uses this metaphor to emphasize the poverty of the Shimerdas.
“I had never before looked up at the sky when there was not a familiar mountain ridge against it. But this was a complete dome of heaven, all there was of it” (Cather 8)
Jim recalls his journey to the Nebraskan countryside and the vivid observations he made of nature. He compares the sky to the mountain ridges. The mountain range is massive and seems to be relative to the sky in size. This comparison equates the sky to a large, governing body. This metaphor is used to describe how Jim is feeling. Jim is in awe of the landscape and feels small as well as insignificant in its great expanse. This point is exaggerated by comparing the sky to heaven which is something unfathomable and almost surreal. Additionally, this comparison helps the reader develop a more detailed mental image of the setting by establishing the large presence of pure, untainted blue scenery.
“As I looked about me I felt that the grass was the country, as the water is the sea”(Cather 15-16)
When Jim goes out to explore his surroundings he discovers the beauty in the Nebraskan landscape and his imagination starts to flow as he observes the land around him. The grass is compared to the country just how the water is compared to the sea.
Throughout the novel, the grass is described as lively and vibrant, similarly the country is also vibrant and full of life. Additionally, the country is represented by the grass as the grass is a crucial symbol since it represents memories and life in the country.
The comparison shows the connection between the grass and the country as they both symbolize the memories of Jim and Antonia’s past. This comparison further shows how Jim describes the landscape and sees more in the land as he uses his imagination to illustrate it. Cather’s intent of this metaphor is to reveal the life and motion that is confined in the country while describing it through Jim’s imagination. The red grass is seen as the country because of its vivid features and how it is lively, just how the country is full of life.
Personification:
“The wind shook the doors and windows impatiently, then swept on again, singing through the big spaces” (Cather 36).
This quotation includes the use of personification. The wind is given the human characteristic of shaking the doors and windows impatiently. Though the wind cannot feel impatience, the tone suggests that the wind’s force caused the doors and windows to shake vigorously. Additionally, the wind is given the human characteristic of singing. By “singing”, the wind is likely creating almost melodic sounds through large spaces. The personification is significant, as the wind’s eerie, human-like actions establish a mood that harmonizes with Pavel’s poor state. The vigor of the wind and the uneasy mood created by the wind’s “singing” reflect the jittery and anxious emotions of everyone in the room. Cather includes this personification, as it establishes that the coming of winter times symbolizes death and difficulty. Pavel’s death follows the sudden burst of wind, indicating that the coming of winter will result in misfortune. Additionally, the sudden wind foreshadows hard times for the Shimerdas as winter approaches.
“All afternoon, whenever one went in the house, one could hear the panting wheeze of the saw or the pleasant purring of the plane”(Cather 71).
Otto Fuchs is constructing Mr.Shimerda’s coffin and the house is taken over by the process. The saw “pants” as Otto uses it to build the coffin. The similarity drawn between the tools to the actions of humans demonstrates the scene of action spurred by Mr.Shimerda’s suicide. Fuchs takes great joy in making the coffin due to his past in carpentry. The plane seems to model his contagious happiness as it emits a pleasant noise. However, this sound contrasts against the negatively connotated “panting wheeze” of the saw.
Cather utilizes the two different noises to create an atmosphere of chaos and discordance. This reflects the situation surrounding Mr.Shimerda’s sudden death and disorganized funeral. As a result, the two objects are effectively juxtapositioned to contribute to a chaotic atmosphere.
“The whole country seemed, somehow, to be running”(Cather 16).
Jim goes out to explore his new home along with the landscape, when he stumbles across the red grass and notices the motion to it. The effect of the red grass on the country is what causes the country to be “running” as it is full of energy and is vibrant. Jim’s imagination runs wild as he discovers the beauty in the country and how it is rich with life. The country is given human characteristics of running. The country seems to be running because of how spirited and vibrant it is. When something is running it is usually full of energy, similarly the country is seen as powerful as it holds a lot of energy. The country is full of Jim and Antonia’s memories since their childhood, therefore it is full of motion and seems to be “running”. The comparison of the country to the human characteristics of running displays how the country is abundant in life and memories which is what makes it run. The author’s intent in this use of personification is to reveal how the country is an important factor in this novel as it plays an essential role in the lives of the characters in the country. The country represents life that is full of motion which is why it is seen to be “running”.
Adriana Pacilo is a 17 year-old currently living in India. Her work has previously been published in Canvas Literary Journal, Cathartic Youth Literary Journal, Ogma Magazine, and The Apprentice Writer. She is a firm believer in the power of banana bread, and has been known to consume copious amounts in alarmingly short intervals of time. In her free time, she enjoys exploring other worlds, both real and imaginary.
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